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Domestic Deposits

II. Deposits of Non-Residents Indians (NRIs)

25. Whether banks can pay interest on NRE and FCNR(B) deposits for the intervening Saturday, Sunday and holidays between the date of maturity and payment? +

Yes. Whenever the due dates fall on Saturday/Sunday/non-business working day/holidays, banks are permitted to pay interest on NRE and FCNR(B) deposits at the originally contracted rate for the intervening period between the due date and date of payment so that no interest loss is suffered by the depositors.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q25. What is meant by “Residence of Enterprises”? +

Ans: An enterprise is said to have a centre of economic interest and to be a resident unit of a country (economic territory) when the enterprise is engaged in a significant amount of production of goods and/or services in that centre or when it owns land or buildings located in that centre. The enterprise must maintain at least one production establishment in the country and must plan to operate the establishment indefinitely or over a long period of time.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

25. A CIC-ND-SI should have 90% investment within the group, and in terms of current exposure norms, NBFCs-ND-SI are permitted only 40% of both lending and investment within any group. Therefore, no NBFC as it stands, would be able to become a CIC without breaching the NOF, CRAR or Concentration Norms, since its entire business is in a subsidiary. However, an NBFC may voluntarily seek to become a CIC-ND-SI since it brings clarity to the holding structure in their organization. How would this issue be resolved? +

Ans: The NBFC would have to apply to RBI with full details of the plan and exemptions could be considered on a selective basis on the merits of the case.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

25. What are the day count conventions used in calculating bond yields? +

Day count convention refers to the method used for arriving at the holding period (number of days) of a bond to calculate the accrued interest. As the use of different day count conventions can result in different accrued interest amounts, it is appropriate that all the participants in the market follow a uniform day count convention.

For example, the conventions followed in Indian market are given below.

Bond market: The day count convention followed is 30/360, which means that irrespective of the actual number of days in a month, the number of days in a month is taken as 30 and the number of days in a year is taken as 360.

Money market: The day count convention followed is actual/365, which means that the actual number of days in a month is taken for number of days (numerator) whereas the number of days in a year is taken as 365 days. Hence, in the case of T-Bills, which are essentially money market instruments, money market convention is followed.

In some countries, participants use actual/actual, some countries use actual/360 while some use 30/actual. Hence the convention changes in different countries and in different markets within the same country (eg. Money market convention is different than the bond market convention in India).

26. How is the yield of a T- Bill calculated? +

It is calculated as per the following formula

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

6. What are the Security Features of banknotes in circulation? +

The security features in MG Series 2005 and MG (New) Series banknotes are as under:

i. Security Thread: The silver coloured machine-readable security thread in ₹10, ₹20 and ₹50 denomination banknotes is windowed on front side and fully embedded on reverse side. The thread fluoresces in yellow on both sides under ultraviolet light. The thread appears as a continuous line from behind when held up against light. ₹100 and above denomination banknotes have machine-readable windowed security thread with colour shift from green to blue when viewed from different angles. It fluoresces in yellow on the reverse and the text will fluoresce on the obverse under ultraviolet light.

ii. Intaglio Printing: The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, Reserve Bank seal, Guarantee and promise clause, Ashoka Pillar emblem, RBI’s Governor's signature and the identification mark for the visually impaired persons are printed in intaglio in denominations ₹100 and above.

iii. See through register: On the left side of the note, a part of the numeral of each denomination is printed on the obverse (front) and the other part on the reverse. The accurate back to back registration makes the numeral appear as one when viewed against light.

iv. Water Mark and electrotype watermark: The banknotes contain the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi in the watermark window with a light and shade effect and multi-directional lines. An electrotype mark showing the denominational numeral in each denomination banknote also appears in the watermark widow and these can be viewed better when the banknote is held against light.

v. Colour Shifting Ink: The numeral 200, 500 & 2000 on the ₹200, ₹500 and ₹2000 banknotes are printed in a colour-shifting ink. The colour of these numerals appears green when the banknotes are held flat but would change to blue when the banknotes are held at an angle.

vi. Fluorescence: The number panels of the banknotes are printed in fluorescent ink. The banknotes also have dual coloured optical fibres. Both can be seen when the banknotes are exposed to ultra-violet lamp.

vii. Latent Image: In the banknotes of ₹20 and above in the MG-2005 Series, the vertical band next to the (right side) Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait contains a latent image, showing the denominational value as the case may be. The value can be seen only when the banknote is held horizontally and light allowed to fall on it; otherwise this feature appears only as a vertical band. In the MG (New) Series banknotes, the latent image exists in denominations ₹100 and above.

viii. Micro letterings: This feature appears at different places on the banknotes and can be seen better under a magnifying glass.

ix. Additional Features introduced since 2015

• New Numbering Pattern

The numerals in both the number panels of the banknotes are in ascending size from left to right while the first three alpha-numeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size.

• Angular Bleed Lines and Increase in the size of Identification Marks

Angular Bleed Lines have been introduced in banknotes - 4 lines in 2 blocks in ₹100, 4 angular bleed lines with two circles in between in ₹200, 5 lines in 3 blocks in ₹500, 7 in ₹2000. In addition, the size of the identification marks in denominations ₹100 and above have been increased by 50 percent.

Information about the above security features present in the Indian banknotes denomination-wise is also available on the website www.rbi.org.in>>press releases. Alternately, information can also be accessed from /en/web/rbi/-/notifications/master-circular-detection-and-impounding-of-counterfeit-notes-11610

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

26. A company has investments in Group companies but does not meet the criteria of principal business as defined in terms of asset-income criteria to be as an NBFC. Can the company still be registered as a CIC or does it need to first register as an NBFC? +

Ans: CICs need not meet the principal business criteria for NBFCs.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Classification of NBFCs into sub-groups

26. Whether the classification of NBFCs into sub-groups as equipment leasing/hire purchase finance/loan/investment companies is still relevant when the overall ceiling on borrowing have been abolished? +

The NBFCs in the category of equipment leasing and hire purchase finance companies are allowed higher leveraging of their NOF for accepting public deposits as compared to the loan and investment companies. As a result, the classification into sub-groups of the NBFCs is relevant only for the purpose of ceiling on public deposits.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.26: What if the Capital Instruments are not issued within the stipulated time period ? +

Answer: If the capital instruments are not issued by the Indian company within sixty days from the date of receipt of the consideration, the amount so received has to be refunded to the person concerned by outward remittance, through banking channels or by credit to his NRE/ FCNR (B) accounts, as the case may be, within fifteen days from the date of completion of sixty days.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

26. What is the meaning of the word ‘Free’ in the lending rate prescription? +

Banks are free to fix Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) for credit limits over Rs.2 lakhs with the approval of their respective Boards. BPLR has to be declared and made uniformly applicable at all the branches. The banks may authorize their Asset-Liability Management Committee (ALCO) to fix interest rates on Deposits and Advances, subject to their reporting to the Board immediately thereafter. The banks should also declare maximum spread over the BPLR with the approval of the ALCO/Board for all advances.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q26. What are definitions of “Foreign Subsidiary”, “Foreign Associate” and “Special Purpose Vehicle” +

Ans:

Foreign Subsidiary: An Indian entity is called as a Foreign Subsidiary if a non-resident investor owns more than 50% of the voting power/equity capital OR where a non-resident investor and its subsidiary(s) combined own more than 50% of the voting power/equity capital of an Indian enterprise.

Foreign Associate: An Indian entity is called as Foreign Associate if non-resident investor owns at least 10% and no more than 50% of the voting power/equity capital OR where non-resident investor and its subsidiary(s) combined own at least 10% but no more than 50% of the voting power/equity capital of an Indian enterprise.

Special Purpose Vehicle: A special purpose Vehicle (SPV) is a legal entity (usually a limited company of some type or, sometimes, a limited partnership) created to fulfil narrow, specific or temporary objectives. SPV have little or no employment, or operations, or physical presence in the jurisdiction in which they are created by their parent enterprises, which are typically located in other jurisdictions (economies). They are often used as devices to raise capital or to hold assets and liabilities and usually do not undertake significant production.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.27: What are the instructions for transfer of shares against deferred payment ? +

Answer: In case of transfer of shares between a resident buyer and a non-resident seller or vice-versa, not more than twenty five per cent of the total consideration can be paid by the buyer on a deferred basis, within a period not exceeding eighteen months from the date of the transfer agreement. The amount deferred can also be either in the form of an indemnity or an Escrow. In all cases, the pricing guidelines should be complied with.

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

7. How can one distinguish the MG series-2005 banknotes? +

In addition to the security features listed above, banknotes issued after introduction of MG series-2005 have the year of printing on the reverse of the banknotes which is not present in the pre-2005 series.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

27. If a company is a CIC but does not exactly meet the criteria specified, does the company need to register as an NBFC? +

Ans: A holding company not meeting the criteria for a CIC laid down in para 2 of Notification No DNBS. (PD) 219/CGM(US)-2011 dated January 5, 2011 would require to register as an NBFC. However, if such company wishes to register as CIC-ND-SI/ be exempted as CIC, it would have to apply to RBI with an action plan achievable within the specific period to reorganize its business as CIC. If it is not able to do so, it would need to comply with NBFC requirements and prudential norms.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

27. (i) What are the ‘intermediary agencies’? (ii) What are ‘housing finance intermediary agencies’? +

An illustrative list of Intermediary Agencies is as under;

State Sponsored organizations for on-lending to Weaker Sections@
Distributors of agricultural inputs/ implements.
State Financial Corporations (SFCs)/ State Industrial Development Corporations (SIDCs) to the extent they provide credit to weaker sections.
National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
Agencies involved in assisting the decentralized sector.
Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO)
Housing Finance Companies approved by National Housing Bank (NHB) for refinance.
State sponsored organization for SCs/STs (for purchase and supply of inputs to and/or marketing of output of the beneficiaries of these organizations).
Micro Finance Institutions/ Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) on lending to SHGs.

@ ‘Weaker Sections’ in Priority Sector includes following:

Small and marginal farmers with land holdings of 5 acres and less, landless labourers, tenant farmers and share-croppers;
Artisans, village and cottage industries where individual credit requirements do not exceed Rs.25,000/-.
Small and marginal farmers, sharecroppers, agricultural and non-agricultural labourers, rural artisans and families living below the poverty lines are the beneficiaries. The family income should not exceed Rs.11,000/- per annum.
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Beneficiaries are persons whose family income from all sources does not exceed Rs.7200/- per annum in urban or semi urban areas or Rs.6400/- per annum in rural areas. They should not own any land or the size of their holding does not exceed one acre in the case of irrigated land and 2.5 acres in the case of unirrigated land (land holding criteria do not apply to SC/ST).
Beneficiaries under Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers (SLRs).
Advances granted to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for reaching the rural poor.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Time frame for compliance of regulations

27. How will the NBFCs meet the stipulation of bringing down their deposit portfolio in alignment with the new regulations? +

The NBFCs have been permitted to regularise their excess public deposits by 1/3rd every year so as to pay off/regularise by obtaining/improving their Credit Rating or by augmenting NOF or by substituting public deposits by other form of debt the entire excess by 31st December, 2000. While the companies having the prescribed minimum level of Rating can accept fresh public deposit and renew such maturing deposit, the NBFCs which are unrated or rated below the minimum grade can only renew the maturing deposits. Within this period, the NBFCs are expected to augment their NOF, obtain or improve their Credit Rating, substitute public deposits by borrowings from other avenues. RBI does not intend to order the NBFCs to prematurely repay their deposits. The NBFCs may repay their deposits only on maturity. If the deposits accepted before January 2, 1998 are maturing after December 31, 2000 and the concerned NBFC holds these deposits in excess of its entitlements, this would not tantamount to violation of the RBI directions. It should, however, report the matter to the concerned Regional Office of Reserve Bank of India.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q27. What are participating and non-participating preference shares? +

Ans: Participating preference shares are those shares which have one or more of the following rights:

(a) To receive dividend, out of surplus profit after paying the dividend to equity shareholders.

(b) To have share in surplus assets remaining after the entire capital is paid in case of winding up of the company.

On the other hand, non-participating preference shares are those shares which do not have any of the above said rights.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

27. What is Duration? +

27.1 Duration (also known as Macaulay Duration) of a bond is a measure of the time taken to recover the initial investment in present value terms. In simplest form, duration refers to the payback period of a bond to break even, i.e., the time taken for a bond to repay its own purchase price. Duration is expressed in number of years. A step by step approach for working out duration is given in the Box IV below.

Box: IV

Calculation for Duration

First, each of the future cash flows is discounted to its respective present value for each period. Since the coupons are paid out every six months, a single period is equal to six months and a bond with two years maturity will have four time periods.

Second, the present values of future cash flows are multiplied with their respective time periods (these are the weights). That is the PV of the first coupon is multiplied by 1, PV of second coupon by 2 and so on.

Third, the above weighted PVs of all cash flows is added and the sum is divided by the current price (total of the PVs in step 1) of the bond. The resultant value is the duration in no. of periods. Since one period equals to six months, to get the duration in no. of year, divide it by two. This is the time period within which the bond is expected to pay back its own value if held till maturity.

Illustration:

Taking a bond having 2 years maturity, and 10% coupon, and current price of ₹101.79, the cash flows will be (prevailing 2 year yield being 9%):

Time period (half year)	1	2	3	4	Total
Inflows (₹)	5	5	5	105	Total
PV at a yield of 9%	4.78	4.58	4.38	88.05	101.79
PV*time	4.78	9.16	13.14	352.20	379.28

Duration in number of periods = 379.28/101.79 = 3.73

Duration in years = 3.73/2 = 1.86 years

More formally, duration refers to:

The weighted average term (time from now to payment) of a bond's cash flows or of any series of linked cash flows.
The higher the coupon rate of a bond, the shorter the duration (if the term of the bond is kept constant).
Duration is always less than or equal to the overall life (to maturity) of the bond.
Only a zero coupon bond (a bond with no coupons) will have duration equal to its maturity.

What is Modified Duration?

27.2 Modified duration (MD) is a modified version of Macaulay Duration. It refers to the change in value of the security to one per cent change in interest rates (Yield). The formula is

Illustration

In the above example given in Box IV, MD = 1.86/(1+0.09/2) = 1.78

Duration is useful primarily as a measure of the sensitivity of a bond's market price to interest rate (i.e., yield) movements. It is approximately equal to the percentage change in price for one percent change in yield. For example the duration is the approximate percentage by which the value of the bond will fall for a 1% per annum increase in market interest rate. So, a 15-year bond with a duration of 7 years would fall approximately 7% in value if the interest rate increased by 1% per annum. In other words, duration is the elasticity of the bond's price with respect to interest rates. This ignores convexity explained in para 24.7

What is PV 01?

27.3 PV01 describes the actual change in price of a bond if the yield changes by one basis point (equal to one hundredth of a percentage point). It is the present value impact of 1 basis point (0.01%) (1%=100 bps) movement in interest rate. It is often used as a price alternative to duration (a time measure). Higher the PV01, the higher would be the volatility (sensitivity of price to change in yield).

Illustration

From the modified duration (given in the illustration under 27.2), we know that the security value will change by 1.78% for a change of 100 basis point (1%) change in the yield. In value terms that is equal to 1.78*(101.79/100) = ₹ 1.81.

Hence the PV01 = 1.81/100 = ₹0.018, which is 1.8 paise. Thus, if the yield of a bond with a Modified Duration of 1.78 years moves from say 9% to 9.05% (5 basis points), the price of the bond moves from ₹101.79 to ₹101.70 (reduction of 9 paise, i.e., 5x1.8 paise).

What is Convexity?

27.4 Calculation of change in price for change in yields based on duration works only for small changes in yields. This is because the relationship between bond price and yield is not strictly linear. Over large variations in yields, the relationship is curvilinear i.e., the reduction in option free bond price is less than the change calculated based only on duration for yield increase, and increase in option free bond price will be more than the change calculated based only on duration for yield decrease. This is measured by a concept called convexity, which is the change in duration of a bond due to change in the yield of the bond.

28. What are the important guidelines for valuation of securities? +

28.1 For Cooperative banks, investments classified under 'Held to Maturity' (HTM) category need not be marked to market and will be carried at acquisition cost unless it is more than the face value, in which case the premium should be amortized over the period remaining to maturity. The individual scrip in the ‘Available for Sale’ (AFS) category in the books of the cooperative banks will be marked to market at the year-end or at more frequent intervals. The individual scrip in the ‘Held for Trading’ (HFT) category will be marked to market at monthly or at more frequent intervals. The book value of individual securities in AFS and HFT categories would not undergo any change after marking to market.

28.2 RBI vide FMRD.DIRD.7/14.03.025/2017-18 dated March 31, 2018 has notified that Financial Benchmark India Pvt. Ltd (FBIL) has been advised to assume the responsibility for administering valuation of Government securities with effect from March 31, 2018. From this date, FIMMDA has ceased to publish prices/yield of Government securities and this role has been taken over by FBIL. FBIL had commenced publication of the G-Sec and SDL valuation benchmarks based on the extant methodology. Going forward, FBIL will undertake a comprehensive review of the valuation methodology. RBI regulated entities, including banks, non-bank financial companies, Primary Dealers, Co-Operative banks and All India Financial Institutions who are required to value Government securities using prices published by FIMMDA as per previous directions may use FBIL prices with effect from March 31, 2018. Other market participants who have been using Govt. securities prices/yields published by FIMMDA may use the prices/yields published by FBIL for valuation of their investment portfolio.

28.3 State Development Loans were previously valued by applying YTM method by marking it up by a spread of 25 basis points on the Central G-Sec yield of the corresponding residual maturity, whereas for corporate bonds the spreads given by the FIMMDA need to be added. RBI vide its notification DBR.BP.BC.No.002 /21.04.141/2018-19 dated July 27, 2018 decided that securities issued by each state government, i.e., State Development Loans (SDLs), shall be valued in a manner which would objectively reflect their fair value based on observed prices/yields and Financial Benchmarks India Pvt. Ltd. (FBIL) shall make available prices for valuation of SDLs based on the above principles. Brief details of valuation methodology is provided in Box V.

Box: V

A framework in this regard has been formulated by FBIL having the following elements: (a) On any business day, the secondary market prices/YTM of SDLs and the auction prices/YTM of SDLs, as available, will be used for their valuation. However, the secondary market trades that are referred to the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) of the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA) and the reversed trades when they occur, will be excluded, (b) Interpolation/ extrapolation technique will be used in respect of the remaining SDLs which do not trade on that day, and (c) Consistency/market alignment check, as applicable, will be applied in respect of all traded prices/YTM.

The methodology seeks to strike a judicious and prudent balance between two opposing considerations: Since the number of actual/observed prices in respect of SDLs are very small, the opportunity cost of not including any actual/observed price is high (consequence of the so-called Type 1 error). However, sufficient care has been exercised, by way of the imposition of a set of objective criteria, to make sure that (i) off-market data are excluded, and (ii) no incentive for market manipulation is provided (reducing the possibility of the so called Type 2 error).

The detailed valuation methodology along with illustrations is provided on FBIL website at link https://www.fbil.org.in/uploads/general/FBIL-SDL_Valuation_Methodology.pdf

28.4 In the case of corporate bonds, the spread that need to be added to the corresponding yield on central G-Sec will be published by the FIMMDA from time to time. FIMMDA gives out the information on corporate bond spreads for various ratings of bonds. While valuing a bond, the appropriate spread has to be added to the corresponding CG yield and the bond has to be valued using the standard ‘Price’ formula.

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

8. What features on the banknote Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series (MGNS) can help visually challenged people identify the different denominations? +

The Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series banknotes have a sharp colour contrast scheme to facilitate identification by the partially visually challenged. The banknotes from ₹100 denomination onwards, have angular bleed lines (4 lines in 2 blocks in ₹100, 4 angular bleed lines with two circles in between in ₹200, 5 lines in 3 blocks in ₹500, 7 in ₹ 2000) and identification mark for the benefit of the visually challenged. There is an identification mark on the front side of each note which is in raised print (intaglio) and has different shapes for different denominations for e.g. Horizontal rectangle for ₹2000, circle for ₹500, raised Identification mark H for ₹200, triangle for ₹100. Further, in these denominations numerals are prominently displayed in the central area of the notes in raised print.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

28. Whether a Holding Company which is not able to comply with the CIC criteria (all four conditions), would still need to comply with NBFC requirements and prudential norms even in the event that it is not satisfying the asset-income criteria. (For example: the holding company owns 60 per cent equity in another group company and is not meeting other three conditions Therefore, it does not qualify as a CIC. Further, the income from financial assets is also less than 50 per cent of total income. Whether such a company would require compliance with NBFC norms). +

Ans: No, since the Company is not fulfilling the Principal Business Criteria (asset-income pattern) of an NBFC i.e. more than 50 % of its total assets should be financial assets and the income derived from these assets should be more than 50% of the gross income, it is not required to register as an NBFC under Section 45 IA of the RBI Act, 1934. However it should register itself as an NBFC as soon as it fulfills the criteria of an NBFC and comply with the NBFC norms.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q28. What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India? +

Ans: If the Indian entity has issued the shares to non-resident entities under the FDI scheme in India, then it is a FDI and should be reported under the Foreign Direct Investment in India (Liabilities) of the return.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

28. Are companies having Ratings less than the minimum Investment Grade, eligible to accept public deposits? +

The NBFCs in the category of equipment leasing and hire purchase finance companies having Rating of less than the Investment Grade as mentioned below are no longer entitled to accept fresh public deposits :

Name of rating agencies	Level of minimum investment grade credit rating
EL/HP Cos.	LC/ICs
CRISIL	A- (A MINUS)
ICRA	A- (A MINUS)
CARE	BBB (FD)
DCR India	BBB- (BBB minus)

The Loan and Investment Companies having Rating of less than `A are no longer entitled to accept fresh deposits.

It may be added that A- is not equivalent to A; AA- is not equivalent to AA and AAA- is not equivalent to AAA.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.28. In case of transfer of capital instruments between a person resident in India and a person resident outside India on deferred payment basis, at which stage the form FC-TRS is required to be filed ? +

Answer: Form FC-TRS has to be filed with the AD bank on receipt of every tranche of payment. The onus of reporting shall be on the resident transferor/ transferee.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

28. Whether banks can charge interest rate without reference to their own BPLR? +

Yes. The banks are free to determine the rates of interest without reference to BPLR and regardless of the size, in respect of following loans:

(i) a. Loans for purchase of consumer durables.

b. Loans to individuals against shares and debentures/ bonds

c. Other non-priority sector personal loans.

d. Advances/ overdrafts against domestic/ NRE/ FCNR(B) deposits with the bank, provided that the deposit/s stands/ stand either in the name(s) of the borrower himself/ borrowers themselves, or in the names of the borrower jointly with another person.

e. Finance granted to intermediary agencies (excluding those of housing) for on lending to ultimate beneficiaries and agencies providing input support.

f. Finance granted to housing finance intermediary agencies for on lending to ultimate beneficiaries

g. Discounting of Bills

h. Loans/Advances/Cash Credit/Overdrafts against commodities subject to Selective Credit Control

ii. Loans covered by participation in interest refinancing schemes of term lending institutions.

Banks are free to charge rates as per stipulations of the refinancing agencies without reference to BPLR

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

9. What is Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI)? +

Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI) is a mobile application launched by the Reserve Bank for aiding visually impaired persons to identify the denomination of Indian Banknotes. The free of cost application, once installed, does not require internet and is capable of identifying the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) series banknote by checking front or reverse side/part of the note including half folded notes at various holding angles and in a broad range of light conditions (normal light/day light/low light etc).

Note: This mobile application does not authenticate a note as being either genuine or counterfeit.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

29. What are the risks involved in holding G-Secs? What are the techniques for mitigating such risks? +

G-Secs are generally referred to as risk free instruments as sovereigns rarely default on their payments. However, as is the case with any financial instrument, there are risks associated with holding the G-Secs. Hence, it is important to identify and understand such risks and take appropriate measures for mitigation of the same. The following are the major risks associated with holding G-Secs:

29.1 Market risk – Market risk arises out of adverse movement of prices of the securities due to changes in interest rates. This will result in valuation losses on marking to market or realizing a loss if the securities are sold at adverse prices. Small investors, to some extent, can mitigate market risk by holding the bonds till maturity so that they can realize the yield at which the securities were actually bought.

29.2 Reinvestment risk – Cash flows on a G-Sec includes a coupon every half year and repayment of principal at maturity. These cash flows need to be reinvested whenever they are paid. Hence there is a risk that the investor may not be able to reinvest these proceeds at yield prevalent at the time of making investment due to decrease in interest rates prevailing at the time of receipt of cash flows by investors.

29.3 Liquidity risk – Liquidity in G-Secs is referred to as the ease with which security can be bought and sold i.e. availability of buy-sell quotes with narrow spreads. Liquidity risk refers to the inability of an investor to liquidate (sell) his holdings due to non-availability of buyers for the security, i.e., no trading activity in that particular security or circumstances resulting in distressed sale (selling at a much lower price than its holding cost) causing loss to the seller. Usually, when a liquid bond of fixed maturity is bought, its tenor gets reduced due to time decay. For example, a 10-year security will become 8 year security after 2 years due to which it may become illiquid. The bonds also become illiquid when there are no frequent reissuances by the issuer (RBI) in those bonds. Bonds are generally reissued till a sizeable amount becomes outstanding under that bond. However, issuer and sovereign have to ensure that there is no excess burden on Government at the time of maturity of the bond as very large amount maturing on a single day may affect the fiscal position of Government. Hence, reissuances for securities are generally stopped after outstanding under that bond touches a particular limit. Due to illiquidity, the investor may need to sell at adverse prices in case of urgent funds requirement. However, in such cases, eligible investors can participate in market repo and borrow the money against the collateral of such securities.

Risk Mitigation

29.4 Holding securities till maturity could be a strategy through which one could avoid market risk. Rebalancing the portfolio wherein the securities are sold once they become short term and new securities of longer tenor are bought could be followed to manage the portfolio risk. However, rebalancing involves transaction and other costs and hence needs to be used judiciously. Market risk and reinvestment risk could also be managed through Asset Liability Management (ALM) by matching the cash flows with liabilities. ALM could also be undertaken by matching the duration of the assets and liabilities.

Advanced risk management techniques involve use of derivatives like Interest Rate Swaps (IRS) through which the nature of cash flows could be altered. However, these are complex instruments requiring advanced level of expertise for proper understanding. Adequate caution, therefore, need to be observed for undertaking the derivatives transactions and such transactions should be undertaken only after having complete understanding of the associated risks and complexities.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

29. A group would like to set up a CIC-ND-SI in the group to rationalize the set up. However, no company can commence the business of NBFI without COR from RBI. Therefore the proposed company would have to apply for COR before transferring shares from different companies to the CIC-ND-SI. But at that time the company would not be eligible in terms of the requirements, as it would not have 90% of net assets as investment in group companies. What should the company do? +

Ans: The company would have to apply for COR to RBI, giving a business plan within a prescribed time period of one year in which it would achieve CIC-ND-SI status. In case the company is unable to do so, the exemptions would not apply and the company would have to comply with NBFC capital adequacy and exposure norms.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.29: What is the concept of downstream investment and Indirect Foreign Investment ? +

Answer: Downstream investment is investment made by an Indian entity which has total foreign investment in it or an Investment Vehicle in the capital instruments or the capital, as the case may be, of another Indian entity.If the investor company has total foreign investment in it and is not owned and not controlled by resident Indian citizens or is owned or controlled by persons resident outside India then such investment shall be “Indirect Foreign Investment” for the investee company.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

29. Can an NBFC which is yet to be Rated accept public deposit ? +

No. If any NBFC has not obtained the minimum prescribed Credit Rating, it is not entitled to raise public deposits

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

29. Whether it is in order for banks to have multiple BPLRs? +

No. Since all lending rates can be determined with reference to the Benchmark PLR by taking into account term premia and/or risk premia, there is no need for multiple BPLRs. These premia can be factored in to the spread over or below the BPLR.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q29. What valuation guidelines are used while reporting foreign equity investment for unlisted companies? +

Ans: Under FLA return, calculation of market value of equity capital for unlisted companies is done using the Own Funds at Book Value (OFVB) method, in accordance with IMF’s guidelines under the compilation of CDIS data for a country. It is calculated as follows:

Market value of equity capital held by Non- resident at OFBV for current year/previous year

= (Net worth of the company for current year/previous year) * (% non-resident equity holding for current year/previous year)

where, Net worth of the company

= (Paid up Equity & Participating Preference share capital of company + Reserves & Surplus - Accumulated losses)

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

30. What is Money Market? +

30.1 While the G-Secs market generally caters to the investors with a long-term investment horizon, the money market provides investment avenues of short term tenor. Money market transactions are generally used for funding the transactions in other markets including G-Secs market and meeting short term liquidity mismatches. By definition, money market is for a maximum tenor of one year. Within the one year, depending upon the tenors, money market is classified into:

i. Overnight market - The tenor of transactions is one working day.

ii. Notice money market – The tenor of the transactions is from 2 days to 14 days.

iii. Term money market – The tenor of the transactions is from 15 days to one year.

What are the different money market instruments?

30.2 Money market instruments include call money, repos, T- Bills (for details refer para 1.3), Cash Management Bills (for details refer para 1.4), Commercial Paper, Certificate of Deposit and Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligations (CBLO).

Call money market

30.3 Call money market is a market for uncollateralized lending and borrowing of funds. This market is predominantly overnight and is open for participation only to scheduled commercial banks and the primary dealers.

Repo market

30.4 Repo or ready forward contact is an instrument for borrowing funds by selling securities with an agreement to repurchase the said securities on a mutually agreed future date at an agreed price which includes interest for the funds borrowed.

30.5 The reverse of the repo transaction is called ‘reverse repo’ which is lending of funds against buying of securities with an agreement to resell the said securities on a mutually agreed future date at an agreed price which includes interest for the funds lent.

30.6 It can be seen from the definition above that there are two legs to the same transaction in a repo/ reverse repo. The duration between the two legs is called the ‘repo period’. Predominantly, repos are undertaken on overnight basis, i.e., for one day period. Settlement of repo transactions happens along with the outright trades in G-Secs.

30.7 The consideration amount in the first leg of the repo transactions is the amount borrowed by the seller of the security. On this, interest at the agreed ‘repo rate’ is calculated and paid along with the consideration amount of the second leg of the transaction when the borrower buys back the security. The overall effect of the repo transaction would be borrowing of funds backed by the collateral of G-Secs.

30.8 The repo market is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. All the above mentioned repo market transactions should be traded/reported on the electronic platform called the Clearcorp Repo Order Matching System (CROMS).

30.9 As part of the measures to develop the corporate debt market, RBI has permitted select entities (scheduled commercial banks excluding RRBs and LABs, PDs, all-India FIs, NBFCs, mutual funds, housing finance companies, insurance companies) to undertake repo in corporate debt securities. This is similar to repo in G-Secs except that corporate debt securities are used as collateral for borrowing funds. Only listed corporate debt securities that are rated ‘AA’ or above by the rating agencies are eligible to be used for repo. Commercial paper, certificate of deposit, non-convertible debentures of original maturity less than one year are not eligible for this purpose. These transactions take place in the OTC market and are required to be reported on FIMMDA platform within 15 minutes of the trade for dissemination of trade information. They are also to be reported on the clearing house of any of the exchanges for the purpose of clearing and settlement.

Triparty Repo

"Tri-party repo" means a repo contract where a third entity (apart from the borrower and lender), called a Tri-Party Agent, acts as an intermediary between the two parties to the repo to facilitate services like collateral selection, payment and settlement, custody and management during the life of the transaction. Funds borrowed under repo including tri-party repo in government securities shall be exempted from CRR/SLR computation and the security acquired under repo shall be eligible for SLR provided the security is primarily eligible for SLR as per the provisions of the Act under which it is required to be maintained.

Tri Party Repo Dealing System (TREPS) facilitates, borrowing and lending of funds, in Triparty Repo arrangement. CCIL is the Central Counterparty to all trades from TREPS and also perform the role and responsibilities of Triparty Repo Agent. All the repo eligible entities are entitled to participate in Triparty Repo. The entity type admitted include, Public Sector Banks, Private Banks, Foreign Banks, Co-operative Banks, Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, Mutual Funds, Primary Dealers, Bank cum Primary Dealers, NBFCs, Corporates, Provident/ Pension Funds, Payment Banks, Small Finance Banks, etc.

TREPS Dealing System is an anonymous order matching System provided by CCDS (Clearcorp Dealing Systems (India) Ltd) to enable Members to borrow and lend funds. It also disseminates online information regarding deals concluded, volumes, rate etc., and such other notifications as relevant to borrowing and lending under Triparty Repo by the members. The borrowing and/ or lending can be done for settlement type T+0 and T+1.

Commercial Paper (CP)

30.13 Commercial Paper (CP) is an unsecured money market instrument issued in the form of a promissory note and held in a dematerialized form through any of the depositories approved by and registered with SEBI. A CP is issued in minimum denomination of ₹5 lakh and multiples thereof and shall be issued at a discount to face value No issuer shall have the issue of CP underwritten or co-accepted and options (call/put) are not permitted on a CP. Companies, including NBFCs and AIFIs, other entities like co-operative societies, government entities, trusts, limited liability partnerships and any other body corporate having presence in India with net worth of ₹100 cr or higher and any other entities specifically permitted by RBI are eligible to issue Commercial papers subject to conditions specified by RBI. All residents, and non-residents permitted to invest in CPs under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 are eligible to invest in CPs; however, no person can invest in CPs issued by related parties either in the primary or secondary market. Investment by regulated financial sector entities will be subject to such conditions as the concerned regulator may impose.

RBI has issued Reserve Bank Commercial Paper Directions 2017 - FMRD.DIRD.01/CGM (TRS) - 2017 dated August 10, 2017

Certificate of Deposit (CD)

30.14 Certificate of Deposit (CD) is a negotiable money market instrument and issued in dematerialised form or as a Usance Promissory Note, for funds deposited at a bank or other eligible financial institution for a specified time period. Banks can issue CDs for maturities from 7 days to one year whereas eligible FIs can issue for maturities from 1 year to 3 years.

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

10. What are the quality control measures adopted in currency note printing?

The processes and systems followed for production of Indian banknotes are at par with the best practices adopted globally. In line with the same, banknote quality is maintained well within the various tolerance parameters for dimension, placement of design, print features etc. A press release in this regard can be accessed at the following link: /en/web/rbi/-/press-releases/rbi-clarifies-on-quality-control-measures-in-currency-note-printing-41364

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

30. Whether CICs that are exempt from registration either because they have an asset size of less than Rs 100 crore or are not accessing public funds are required to register as NBFCs? +

Ans: CICs that (a) have an asset size of less than Rs.100 crore irrespective of whether they are accessing public funds or not and (b) have an asset size of Rs. 100 crore and above and are not accessing public funds have been exempt from registration with the Bank under Section 45IA of the RBI Act, 1934 in terms of notification No. DNBS.PD.221/CGM(US) 2011 dated January 5, 2011. Thus, they are not required to register with the Bank at all. As this is an exemption given under Section 45NC of the RBI Act, 1934, they are not required to approach the Bank at all.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.30: Whether an Indian company (owned or controlled by persons resident outside India or not owned and not controlled by resident Indian citizens (FOCC)) investing in instruments other than capital instruments of another Indian company will be treated as downstream investment ? +

Answer: No

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

30. If an NBFC obtains Ratings from two Rating Agencies and these Ratings are different, which Rating would be considered valid for determining the level of deposits it can solicit? +

An NBFC that has been rated by two agencies, is free to use the rating beneficial to it. In case of wide variation between the two Ratings, RBI can take up the matter with both the Credit Rating Agencies to review and rationalise their opinion about the companys Rating.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q30. What valuation guidelines are used while reporting foreign equity investment for listed companies? +

Ans: If the Indian reporting entity is listed, then their closing share price as on reference period, i.e., end-March of previous and current year is used for valuation of non-resident equity investment.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

30. Whether banks can grant fixed rate loans for the purposes other than project finance? +

The banks have freedom to offer all loans to fixed or floating rates subject to conformity to Asset Liability Management (ALM) Guidelines.

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

1. What are soiled, mutilated and imperfect banknotes? +

(i) A ‘soiled note’ means a note which has become dirty due to normal wear and tear and also includes a two piece note pasted together wherein both the pieces presented belong to the same note and form the entire note with no essential feature missing.

(ii) “Mutilated banknote” is a banknote, of which a portion is missing or which is composed of more than two pieces.

(iii) “Imperfect banknote” means any banknote, which is wholly or partially, obliterated, shrunk, washed, altered or indecipherable but does not include a mutilated banknote.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

31. What are the role and functions of FIMMDA & FBIL +

31.1 The Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA), an association of Scheduled Commercial Banks, Public Financial Institutions, Primary Dealers and Insurance Companies was incorporated as a Company under section 25 of the Companies Act,1956 on June 3, 1998. FIMMDA is a voluntary market body for the bond, money and derivatives markets. FIMMDA has members representing all major institutional segments of the market. The membership includes Nationalized Banks such as State Bank of India, its associate banks and other nationalized banks; Private sector banks such as ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank; Foreign Banks such as Bank of America, Citibank, Financial institutions such as IDFC, EXIM Bank, NABARD, Insurance Companies like Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, Birla Sun Life Insurance Company and all Primary Dealers.

31.2 FIMMDA represents market participants and aids the development of the bond, money and derivatives markets. It acts as an interface with the regulators on various issues that impact the functioning of these markets. FIMMDA also plays a constructive role in the evolution of best market practices by its members so that the market as a whole operates transparently as well as efficiently.

31.3 Financial Benchmarks India Pvt. Ltd (FBIL) was incorporated in 2014 as per the recommendations of the Committee on Financial Benchmarks. FBIL has taken over existing benchmarks such as Mumbai Inter-Bank Outright Rate (MIBOR) and option volatility and introduced new benchmarks such as Market Repo Overnight Rate (MROR), Certificate of Deposits (CDs) and T-Bills yield curves. The development of FBIL as an independent organisation for administration of all financial market benchmarks including valuation benchmarks is important for the credibility of these benchmarks and integrity of financial markets. FBIL has assumed the responsibility for administering valuation of Government securities with effect from March 31, 2018.

FBIL has also assumed the responsibility for computation and dissemination of the daily “Reference Rate” for Spot USD/INR and other major currencies against the Rupee, which was previously being done by the Reserve Bank.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

31. Would a similar benefit apply to NBFCs i.e. would NBFCs with an asset size of less than Rs 100 crore and not accessing public funds be exempted from registration with the Bank? +

Ans: No, this exemption is specifically given to CICs only. NBFCs other than CICs are not covered by this or any other aspect of the CIC Directions and would have to register with the Bank and comply with all applicable Directions of the Bank as issued from time to time.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.31: Since the instructions on Downstream Investment were issued by the Reserve Bank in 2013, what is the status of investment made prior to the issue of the instructions ? +

Answer: Downstream investment made in accordance with the guidelines in existence prior to February 13, 2009 would not require any modification to conform to these regulations. All other investments, after the said date, would come under the ambit of FEMA 20(R). Downstream investments made between February 13, 2009 and June 21, 2013 which were not in conformity with these regulations should have been intimated to the Reserve Bank by October 3, 2013, for treating such cases as compliant with these regulations.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

31. One common practice has been noticed among the NBFCs that if the Rating awarded by one Agency is not satisfactory to them, the company does not accept the Rating and approaches another agency for the purpose. It is also alleged that the NBFC arranges to get a higher Rating. Is there any method by which RBI can come to know of the names of the companies Rated and the level of Rating given to them by the Agencies irrespective of whether the Rating has been accepted or not ? +

The Rating Agencies have incorporated a clause in their agreements with the NBFCs that they can disclose the Rating to the regulatory authorities viz. RBI. The RBI has started getting the information from the Agencies.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

31. Whether the revised BPLRs will be applicable to the existing advances? +

Yes. The banks are required to invariably incorporate following proviso in the loan agreements in the case of all advances, including term loans, enabling banks to charge the applicable interest rate in conformity with the directive issued by RBI, except in case of Fixed Rate Loans. “Provided that the interest payable by the borrower shall be subject to the changes in interest rates made by the Reserve Bank from time to time”.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q31. What is the definition of related party? +

Ans: A related party is a person or entity that is related to the entity that is preparing its financial statements (referred to as the ‘reporting entity’).

A person or a close member of that person’s family is related to a reporting entity if that person:

(i) has control or joint control over the reporting entity.

(ii) has significant influence over the reporting entity; or

(iii) is a member of the key management personnel of the reporting entity or of a parent of the reporting entity.

In the definition of a related party, an associate includes subsidiaries of the associate and a joint venture includes subsidiaries of the joint venture. Therefore, for example, an associate’s subsidiary and the investor that has significant influence over the associate are related to each other.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.32: Whether RBI’s approval is required for transfer of shares from NRI or an OCI to a non-resident other than an NRI or an OCI ? +

Answer: No

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

2. Can soiled and mutilated banknotes be exchanged for value? +

Yes. Such banknotes can be exchanged for value.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

32. Should Net assets include operating assets? +

Ans: Net assets have been defined in Notification No. DNBS.(PD) 219/CGM(US)-2011 dated January 05, 2011 (para3(1)e) specifically for the purpose of defining a CIC. As such they will only include the items specifically mentioned therein, irrespective of whether any of these qualify as operating assets or not.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

32. What are the various websites that give information on G-Secs? +

32.1. RBI financial market watch - /en/web/rbi/financial-markets/other-links/financial-market-watch

This site provides links to information on prices of G-Secs on NDS-OM, money market and other information on G-Secs like outstanding stock etc.

32.2. NDS-OM market watch https://www.ccilindia.com/OMHome.aspx

This site provides real-time information on traded as well as quoted prices of G-Secs, both in Order matching and Reporting segment. In addition, prices of When Issued (WI) (whenever trading takes place) segment are also provided.

32.3. Reported deals on NDS-OM: https://www.ccilindia.com/OMRPTDeals.aspx

This site provides information on prices of G-Secs in OTC market as reported. One can see chronological traded price levels and quantity in various securities.

32.4 FBIL – www.fbil.org.in

Financial Benchmark India Private Ltd (FBIL) was jointly promoted by Fixed Income Money Market & Derivative Association of India (FIMMDA), Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI) and Indian Banks’ ‘Association (IBA). It was incorporated on 9th December 2014 under the Companies Act 2013. It was recognised by Reserve bank of India as an independent Benchmark administrator on 2nd July 2015.

The company is run by a Board of Directors, assisted by an oversight committee. The main object of the company is to act as the administrators of the Indian interest rate and foreign exchange benchmarks and to introduce and implement policies and procedures to handle the benchmarks. It also will make policies for possible cessation of any benchmark and to follow steps for ensuring orderly transition to the new benchmarks. FBIL will review each benchmark to ensure that the benchmarks accurately represent the economic realities of the interest that it intends to measure. It will take up/consider such other benchmarks as may be required from time to time by periodically assessing the emerging needs of the end -users.

32.5 FIMMDA - http://www.fimmda.org/

This site provides a host of information on market practices for all the fixed income securities including G-Secs. Accessing information from this site requires a valid login and password which are provided by FIMMDA to the eligible entities.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

32. When a companys Rating is downgraded, does it have to bring down its level of public deposits immediately or over a period of time? +

If Rating of an NBFC is downgraded, it has to bring down deposits to the level to which it is entitled to as per the new Credit Rating within a period of one year.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

32. Whether banks may charge interest below BPLR on loans above Rs.2.00 lakhs +

Yes. At present, loans upto Rs.2 lakhs carry the prescription of not exceeding the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) and on the loans above Rs.2 lakhs, banks are free to determine rate of interest subject to BPLR and spread guidelines. Keeping in view the international practice and to provide operational flexibility to commercial banks in deciding their lending rate, banks may offer loans at below BPLR to exporters or other creditworthy borrowers including public enterprises on the basis of a transparent and objective policy approved by the respective Boards.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q32. Whether, any assets or liabilities for Indian party (i.e. domestic assets and liabilities) are to be included in the FLA return? +

Ans: Any domestic liabilities or assets (even if it is in foreign currency) should not be reported in the FLA return.

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

3. Where are soiled/mutilated banknotes accepted for exchange? +

All banks are authorized to accept and exchange soiled banknotes for full value. They shall extend the facility of exchange of soiled/mutilated notes to non-customers also.

All branches of commercial banks are authorised to adjudicate mutilated banknotes (which are legal tender) and pay value for these, in terms of the Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Amendment Rules, 2018.

Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks may exchange mutilated and imperfect/defective notes at their option.

Foreign Investment in India

Q.33: Whether Pricing Guidelines apply for Indian company buying back shares in a scheme of merger/ de-merger/ amalgamation of Indian companies approved by NCLT/ competent authority for Buyback of shares/ Reduction of Capital by an Indian company ? +

Answer: Yes. Also, FC-TRS is required to be filed by the Indian company.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

33. Definition of Group Companies should include LLPs and Partnerships in the Group? +

Ans: Neither LLPs nor Partnerships are companies and hence have been deliberately excluded from the definition of Group Company. Further, in view of the loose structure and regulatory framework for these entities, it is felt that they should not be included in the definition.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

33. Whether banks are permitted to charge interest below their declared BPLR under consortium arrangement to offer rate comparable to leader bank? +

No. The banks need not charge a uniform rate of interest even under a consortium arrangement. Each member bank should charge rate of interest on the portion of the credit limits extended by them to the borrowers subject to their BPLR.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Annex 1 +

Specimen of a G-Sec

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

33. Rating Agencies use different symbols for their Investment Grade Rating. Is it possible for the common man to understand the strength of the company on the basis of these symbols ? +

Reserve Bank of India has specified the minimum level of investment grade Rating for eligibility for acceptance of deposits from public by Equipment Leasing/Hire Purchase Finance Companies. However, the Rating Agencies have been advised to bring about uniformity in their Rating Levels for the common man to understand the meaning of a particular Rating.

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Q33. What is Direct Investment abroad by Indian companies? +

Ans: If the reporting Indian company invests in equity and/or participating preference shares of overseas company, under the Overseas Direct Investment Scheme in India, i.e. investment in Joint venture or wholly owned subsidiaries abroad, then it is considered as direct investment abroad of the Indian company.

NOTE: Registration guidelines and section-wise FAQs for further guidance to be file the FLA return are available in the FAQs section of the FLAIR portal (https://flair.rbi.org.in/fla/faces/pages/login.xhtml).

Foreign Investment in India

Q.34: What are the guidelines for reporting of transfer of shares ? +

Answer: Form FC-TRS is required to be filed for transfer of capital instruments by way of sale in accordance with FEMA 20(R), from:a person resident outside India holding capital instruments in an Indian company on a repatriable basis to a person resident outside India holding capital instruments on a non-repatriable basis;a person resident outside India holding capital instruments in an Indian company on non-repatriable basis to a person resident outside India holding capital instruments on repatriable basis;a person resident outside India holding capital instruments in an Indian company on repatriable basis to a person resident in India;a person resident in India holding capital instruments in an Indian company to a person resident outside India holding capital instruments on repatriable basis.Sale of capital instruments on a recognized stock exchange by a person resident outside India as prescribed in regulation 10(3) of FEMA 20(R) has to be reported by such person in Form FC-TRS.FC-TRS is not required for:for transfer of shares of an Indian company from a non-resident holding the shares on non-repatriable basis to a resident and vice versa.for transfer of shares from a person resident outside India holding capital instruments in an Indian company on a repatriable basis to a person resident outside India holding capital instruments on a repatriable basisfor transfer of shares by way of gift.The onus of reporting is on the resident (transferor or transferee) or the person resident outside India holding capital instruments on a non-repatriable basis, as the case may be. The form FC-TRS has to be filed with the AD bank within sixty days of receipt/ remittance of funds or transfer of capital instruments whichever is earlier.II. Foreign Portfolio Investment

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

4. How much value would one get in exchange of imperfect banknotes? +

The value of an imperfect note may be paid for full value/half value under rules as specified in Part III of Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Rules, 2009 [As amended by Reserve Bank of India (Note Refund) Amendment Rules, 2018] available in our website under www.rbi.org.in → Publications → Occasional.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

34. While instruments that are compulsorily convertible into equity shares within a period not exceeding 10 years from the date of issue are excluded from Outside Liabilities, in terms of the Companies Act such instruments are excluded from the definition of ‘public deposit’ if they are convertible with a period of 20 years? +

Ans: The period of 10 years was specified as a prudential measure not necessarily in alignment with a provision of the Companies Act. Moreover, the issue here is not public deposits but Outside Liabilities.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

34. What is the period of validity of a companys Rating ? +

The Reserve Bank has stipulated that the Credit Rating should be obtained by the NBFCs once in a year. Normally, the Credit Rrating of a company is valid till it is reviewed by the concerned Rating Agency.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Annex 2 +

List of Primary Dealers (As on April 01, 2020)

STANDALONE PRIMARY DEALERS	BANK PRIMARY DEALERS
ICICI Securities Primary Dealership Limited ICICI Centre H.T.Parekh Marg Churchgate Mumbai- 400 020 Phone: (022) 22882460/70, 66377421	Bank of America, N.A. One BKC, ‘A’ Wing ‘G’ Block, Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra (E), Mumbai – 400 051 Phone: 022-66323111
Morgan Stanley India Primary Dealer Pvt. Ltd. 18F / 19F One Indiabulls Centre Tower 2, Jupiter Mills Compound Elphinstone Road Mumbai - 400013 Phone : (022) 61181000 Fax : (022) 61181011	Bank Of Baroda Specialised Integrated Treasury 4th & 5th Floor, Baroda Sun Tower, C-34, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra East, Mumbai-400 051 Phone:(022) 66363636 / 67592705
Nomura Fixed Income Securities Pvt. Ltd. Ceejay House, 11th Level Plot F, Shivsagar Estate Dr.Annie Besant Road Worli Mumbai - 400 018 Phone : (022) 40374037 Fax : (022) 40374111	Canara Bank Domestic Back Office Integrated Treasury Wing VI Floor, Canara Bank Building C-14, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra East Mumbai- 400 051 Phone: (022) 26725126, 123
PNB Gilts Ltd. 5, Sansad Marg New Delhi- 110 001 Phone: Mumbai - (022) 22693315/17 New Delhi - (011) 23325751,22693315/17	Citibank N.A FIFC, 12th floor, C-54 and 55, G block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai – 400 051. Phone:(022) 6175 7187
SBI DFHI Ltd 3rd Floor, Voltas House, 23, J.N.Heredia Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai- 400 001 Phone:(022) 22625970/73, 22610490, 66364696	Union Bank of India Treasury Branch, Central Office, Union Bank Bhavan, 3rd Floor, 239, Vidhan Bhavan Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021 Ph 022-22892118/22892102
STCI Primary Dealer Limited Marathon Innova, Marathon Nextgen Compound, Off Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel(W), Mumbai- 400 013 Phone:(022) 30031100, 66202261/2200	HDFC Bank Ltd. Treasury Mid Office, 1st Floor,HDFC Bank House Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel Mumbai- 400 013 Phone:(022) 24904702/4935/3899, 66521372/9892975232
Goldman Sachs (India) Capital Markets Pvt. Ltd. 951-A, Rational House, Appasaheb Marathe Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai 400 025 Phone : (022) 66169000	Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpn. Ltd.(HSBC) Treasury Services 52/60, Mahatma Gandhi Road Mumbai- 400 001 Phone:(022) 22681031/34/33, 22623329/22681031/34/38
	J P Morgan Chase Bank N.A, Mumbai Branch J.P. Morgan Tower Off C.S.T. Road, Kalina Santacruz (East) Mumbai - 400 098 Phone -61573000 Fax- 61573990 & 61573916
	Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. 27BKC, 5th Floor Plot No. C-27, G-Block Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra East Mumbai 400 051. Phone:(022) 6659 6022/6454, 66596235/6454
	Standard Chartered Bank Financial Markets Financial Market Operation Crescenzo, 5th Floor Plot no. C-38 & 39, G – Block Bandra Kurla Complex Mumbai – 400 051 Phone : (022) 61158893
	Axis Bank Ltd. Treasury Operations Corporate Office, 4th Floor, Axis House Bombay Dyeing Compound Pandurang Budhkar Marg Worli, Mumbai - 400 025 Phone- (022) 24254430, 24254434 Fax- (022) 24252400 / 5400
	IDBI Bank Limited IDBI Tower, Cuffe Parade Mumbai- 400 005 Phone- (022) 66263351
	Deutsche Bank AG C-70, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex Mumbai-400051 Phone: (022) 71804444
	Yes Bank Limited Yes Bank Tower, IFC 2, Elphinstone (W), Senapati Bapat Marg, Mumbai-400013 Phone: (022) 33669000

* Bank PDs are those which take up PD business departmentally as part of the bank itself.

** Stand alone PDs are Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) that exclusively take up PD business.

Update to the list of Primary dealers is available on the RBI website at /en/web/rbi/citizen-corner/primary-dealers

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

34. What should be penal rate of interest? +

With effect from October 10, 2000, banks have been given freedom to formulate transparent policy for charging penal interest with the approval of their Board of Directors. However, in the case of loans to borrowers under priority sector, no penal interest should be charged for loans up to Rs.25,000. Penal interest may be levied for reasons such as default in repayment, non-submission of financial statements, etc. However, the policy on penal interest should be governed by well-accepted principles of transparency, fairness, incentive to services the debt and genuine difficulties of customers.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

35. If the company questions the Rating given to it, to whom can it appeal ? +

A. The Credit Rating is the opinion of the Agency about the companys ability to service its debt. The company has the discretion to accept the Rating or reject it. There is no appellate authority.

Foreign Investment in India

II. Foreign Portfolio Investment

Q.35: What are the regulations regarding investments on the stock exchanges in India +

Answer: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) registered in accordance with the provisions of SEBI (FPI) Regulations and NRIs/ OCIs can make investment on the stock exchanges in India, subject to the individual and aggregate limits prescribed in schedules 2 and 3, respectively of FEMA 20(R).III. Investment in other securities

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Annex 3 +

Sample of Auction Calendar

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

5. What types of banknotes are eligible/not eligible for payment under the Note Refund Rules? +

The details are available on our website at the following link: www.rbi.org.in>>Issuer of currency>>Notifications

A summary of the old (2009) and amended NRR (2018) is as under:

Note Refund Rules - Amended

Sr. No.	As per Old NRR (2009)	As per Amended NRR (2018)
1	Notes up to ₹20 denominations i) area of single largest undivided piece of the note > 50% - Full value ii) area of largest undivided piece of the note =/< 50% - Reject	No change
2	Notes of ₹50/- and above denominations i) If area is less than 40% - Reject ii) If the area is equal to or more than 40% and less than or equal to 65% - Half value iii) If the area of the single largest undivided pieces is more than 65% - Full value	Notes of ₹50/- & above denominations i) If area is less than 40% - Reject ii) If the area is more than or equal to 40% and less than or equal to 80% - Half value iii) If the area of the single largest undivided pieces is more than 80% - Full value

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

35. Unlike other NBFCs, can CICs ND-SI (a) no longer make overseas investment or (b) raise ECB or (c) obtain bank finance for acquisition of shares? +

Ans: The Directions on CIC-ND-SIs have not restricted them from making overseas investment. Such investment will be governed by the provisions of Chapter VII of Master Direction-Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016. Similarly, presently CIC-ND-SIs can raise funds through ECB. The same would be governed by the instructions contained in the ECB Policy issued by Foreign Exchange Department of the Reserve Bank. Lending to NBFCs/ CICs by banks will be governed by the provisions as applicable to banks and specifically contained in the instructions on ‘bank finance to NBFCs’ issued by Department of Banking Regulation of the Reserve Bank.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

35. Consequent on the deregulation of interest rate on advances over Rs.2 lakhs with effect from October 18, 1994, whether banks should pay DICGC Guarantee fees in respect of priority sector advances? +

As regards DICGC Guarantee fees, the banks have been given discretion to absorb or to pass on the guarantee fees to the borrower in case of advances over Rs.25,000/- excluding advances to weaker sections. Banks should bear DICGC guarantee fees in respect of advances upto Rs.25,000/- and all advances to weaker sections.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Liquid Asset requirement

36. Whether the liquid assets are required to be maintained only on the principal amount of public deposits or the interest accrued on such deposits should be included in the deposit liabilities? +

The liquid assets are required to be maintained in relation to the deposit outstanding together with the amount of interest accrued but not paid.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Annex 4 +

Sample of Auction notification

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

6. What if a banknote is found to be non-payable? +

Non-payable banknotes are retained by the receiving banks and sent to the Reserve Bank where they are destroyed.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

36. If one of the small CICs in a group does not access public funds why should it register based on the condition of aggregate asset size? +

Ans: As already clarified in the FAQs, a CIC that does not access public funds is exempt from registration irrespective of having other CICs in the Group that access public funds. Illustratively, if A is a CIC and B and C are also CICs and Group Companies of A provided A does not access any form of public funds including any funds from any Group Company including B and C, it would not require to register as a CIC. If A, B and C do not access public funds in any form none of them would be required to register as a CIC.

Foreign Investment in India

III. Investment in other securities

Q.36: Can a person resident outside India invest in Government Securities/ Treasury bills/ corporate debt/ other securities ? +

Answer: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Foreign Central Banks, Multilateral Development Bank, Long term investors like Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs), Multilateral Agencies, Endowment Funds, Insurance Funds and Pension Funds which are registered with SEBI Long Term Investors may invest in other securities as specified in Schedule 5 to Notification No FEMA 20.

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

36. Whether interest on loans and advances could be charged at varying periods ranging from monthly rests to yearly rests? +

With effect from April 1, 2002 banks have been charging interest on loans and advances at monthly rests except in the case of agricultural advances (including short term loans and other allied activities) where the existing practice continues.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Liquid Asset requirement

37. What is the ratio of liquid asset requirement and the base of deposits to which the liquid asset are linked ? +

The minimum level of liquid asset between January 1 and March 31, 1998 remains unchanged at 10 per cent and 5 per cent of the regulated deposits outstanding as on September 30, 1997 for equipment leasing/hire purchase finance companies and loan/investment companies respectively, depending upon their Registration status under erstwhile Registration Scheme. However, on and from April 1, 1998, the requirement of liquid assets would be uniform for all these NBFCs except RNBCs at 12.5 per cent of the "public deposits". The ratio will be 15 per cent of public deposits on and from April 1, 1999. For RNBCs, the ratio shall remain unchanged at 10 per cent of the deposits outstanding.

Foreign Investment in India

III. Investment in other securities

Q.37: Who is an FVCI ? +

Answer: Foreign Venture Capital Investor’ (FVCI) means an investor incorporated and established outside India and registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India under Securities and Exchange Board of India (Foreign Venture Capital Investors) Regulations, 2000

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

7. Have guidelines been issued to deposit/exchange mutilated/soiled banknotes of new notes issued under Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series? +

Guidelines for the exchange of mutilated/torn notes are available in our Master Circular on “Facility for Exchange of Notes & Coins” DCM(NE) No.G-2/08.07.18/2019-20 dated July 01, 2019 which is available on our website www.rbi.org.in under Notifications>Master Circulars>Issuer of Currency. Mutilated notes can be exchanged at all bank branches in terms of RBI (Note Refund) Amendment Rules, 2018.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

37. Will adjusted net worth of all the CICs in the Group also be aggregated for compliance purposes? +

Ans: Adjusted net worth (ANW) is a concept akin to capital requirement wherein the ANW should not be less than 30% of the risk weighted assets (RWA). In cases where asset size is aggregated, all the CICs within the group will be registered as CIC-ND-SI ANW will be applicable individually.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Annex 5 +

Specimen of Deal slip

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

37. What rate of interest is chargeable on loans/ advances granted to Staff Members of the banks or Staff Members of Co-operative Credit Societies? +

The interest rate directives on advances granted by banks will not be applicable to loans or advances or other financial accommodation made or provided or renewed by a scheduled bank, inter alia, to its own employees. Where the advances are provided by the bank to co-operative credit societies formed by the bank’s staff members for lending to constituents (i.e. staff of the bank), the interest rate directives of the RBI will not apply in such advances.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Liquid Asset requirement

38. Whether a part of the liquid assets can be held in the form of investments in bonds of and deposits with the scheduled commercial banks ? +

No. An NBFC is required to invest in approved securities a part of the deposits, for compliance with the provisions of section 45IB of the RBI Act. The term `approved securities has been defined in the RBI Act itself which means the Government securities and Government guaranteed bonds. Hence it is not permissible for the NBFCs to maintain a part of the securities in the form of investments in bonds of and deposits with banks.

Foreign Investment in India

III. Investment in other securities

Q.38: Where can a Foreign Venture Capital Investor (FVCI) invest ? +

Answer: A SEBI registered Foreign Venture Capital Investor may make investment in terms of schedule 7 of FEMA 20(R) as per the conditions prescribed therein.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Annex 6 +

Important Excel functions for bond related calculations

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

8. Is the serial number essential when assessing the value of a damaged banknote? +

The presence or absence of a serial number or other specific feature is not a determining factor when assessing damaged banknotes for value under the RBI (Note Refund) Amendment Rules, 2018.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

38. There is an apparent anomaly in the definition of ‘public funds’ as the moment public deposits is included in the definition of ‘public funds’ and CICs will be deemed to have raised public deposits and will therefore become an NBFC subject to exposure norms? +

Ans: Even though public funds include public deposits in the general course, it may be noted that CICs cannot accept public deposits. It may further be reiterated that no NBFC can accept public deposits without specific permission of the Bank even if it holds a CoR from the Bank.

Domestic Deposits

IV. Advances against shares and debentures

38. Whether banks can sanction loans to Trust and Endowments against the security of shares and debentures? +

No.

Foreign Investment in India

III. Investment in other securities

Q.39: How can the FVCI make payment for the investment ? +

Answer: The amount of consideration for all investment by an FVCI has to be received/made through inward remittance from abroad through banking channels or out of funds held in a foreign currency account and/ or a Special Non-Resident Rupee (SNRR) account maintained by the FVCI with an AD bank in India. The foreign currency account and SNRR account shall be used only and exclusively for transactions under the relevant Schedule.

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Annex 7 +

Glossary of Important Terms and Commonly Used Market Terminology

Accrued Interest

The accrued interest on a bond is the amount of interest accumulated on a bond since the last coupon payment. The interest has been earned, but because coupons are paid only on coupon dates, the investor has not gained the money yet. In India day count convention for G-Secs is 30/360.

Auction –Multiple price and Uniform Price

In a Multiple Price auction, the successful bidders are required to pay for the allotted quantity of securities at the respective price / yield at which they have bid. On the other hand, in a Uniform Price auction, all the successful bidders are required to pay for the allotted quantity of securities at the same rate, i.e., at the auction cut-off rate, irrespective of the rate quoted by them.

Bid Price/ Yield

The price/yield being offered by a potential buyer for a security.

Big Figure

When the price is quoted as ₹102.35, the portion other than decimals (102) is called the big figure.

Competitive Bid

Competitive bid refers to the bid for the stock at the price stated by a bidder in an auction.

Coupon

The rate of interest paid on a debt security as calculated on the basis of the security’s face value.

Coupon Frequency

Coupon payments are made at regular intervals throughout the life of a debt security and may be quarterly, semi-annual (twice a year) or annual payments.

Discount

When the price of a security is below the par value, it is said to be trading at a discount. The value of the discount is the difference between the FV and the Price. For example, if a security is trading at ₹ 99, the discount is ₹ 1.

Duration (Macaulay Duration)

Duration of a bond is the number of years taken to recover the initial investment of a bond. It is calculated as the weighted average number of years to receive the cash flow wherein the present value of respective cash flows are multiplied with the time to that respective cash flows. The total of such values is divided by the price of the security to arrive at the duration. Refer to Box IV under question 27.

Face Value

Face value is the amount that is to be paid to an investor at the maturity date of the security. Debt securities can be issued at varying face values, however in India they typically have a face value of ₹100. The face value is also known as the repayment amount. This amount is also referred as redemption value, principal value (or simply principal), maturity value or par value.

Floating-Rate Bond

Bonds whose coupon rate is re-set at predefined intervals and is based on a pre-specified market based interest rate.

Gilt/ G-Secs

G-Secs are also known as gilts or gilt edged securities. “G-Sec” means a security created and issued by the Government for the purpose of raising a public loan or for any other purpose as may be notified by the Government in the Official Gazette and having one of the forms mentioned in the G-Secs Act, 2006.

Market Lot

Market lot refers to the standard value of the trades that happen in the market. The standard market lot size in the G-Secs market is ₹ 5 crore in face value terms.

Maturity Date

The date when the principal (face value) is paid back. The final coupon and the face value of a debt security is repaid to the investor on the maturity date. The time to maturity can vary from short term (1 year) to long term (30 years).

Non-Competitive Bid

NCB means the bidder would be able to participate in the auctions of dated G-Secs without having to quote the yield or price in the bid. The allotment to the non-competitive segment will be at the weighted average rate that will emerge in the auction on the basis of competitive bidding. It is an allocating facility wherein a part of total securities are allocated to bidders at a weighted average price of successful competitive bid. (Please also see paragraph no.4.3 under question no.4).

Odd Lot

Transactions of any value other than the standard market lot size of ₹ 5 crore are referred to as odd lot. Generally, the value is less than the ₹ 5 crore with a minimum of ₹10,000/-. Odd lot transactions are generally done by the retail and small participants in the market.

Par value

Par value is nothing but the face value of the security which is ₹ 100 for G-Secs. When the price of a security is equal to face value, the security is said to be trading at par.

Premium

When the price of a security is above the par value, the security is said to be trading at premium. The value of the premium is the difference between the price and the face value. For example, if a security is trading at ₹102, the premium is ₹ 2.

Price

The price quoted is for per ₹ 100 of face value. The price of any financial instrument is equal to the present value of all the future cash flows. The price one pays for a debt security is based on a number of factors. Newly-issued debt securities usually sell at, or close to, their face value. In the secondary market, where already-issued debt securities are bought and sold between investors, the price one pays for a bond is based on a host of variables, including market interest rates, accrued interest, supply and demand, credit quality, maturity date, state of issuance, market events and the size of the transaction.

Primary Dealers

In order to accomplish the objective of meeting the Government borrowing needs as cheaply and efficiently as possible, a group of highly qualified financial firms/ banks are appointed to play the role of specialist intermediaries in the G-Sec market between the issuer on the one hand and the market on the other. Such entities are generally called Primary dealers or market makers. In return of a set of obligations, such as making continuous bids and offer price in the marketable G-Secs or submitting reasonable bids in the auctions, these firms receive a set of privileges in the primary/ secondary market.

Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system

RTGS system is a funds transfer mechanism for transfer of money from one bank to another on a “real time” and on “gross” basis. This is the fastest possible money transfer system through the banking channel. Settlement in “real time” means payment transaction is not subjected to any waiting period. The transactions are settled as soon as they are processed. “Gross settlement” means the transaction is settled on one to one basis without bunching with any other transaction. Considering that money transfer takes place in the books of the Reserve Bank of India, the payment is taken as final and irrevocable.

Repo Rate

Repo rate is the return earned on a repo transaction expressed as an annual interest rate.

Repo/Reverse Repo

Repo means an instrument for borrowing funds by selling securities of the Central Government or a State Government or of such securities of a local authority as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government or foreign securities, with an agreement to repurchase the said securities on a mutually agreed future date at an agreed price which includes interest for the fund borrowed.

Reverse Repo means an instrument for lending funds by purchasing securities of the Central Government or a State Government or of such securities of a local authority as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government or foreign securities, with an agreement to resell the said securities on a mutually agreed future date at an agreed price which includes interest for the fund lent.

Residual Maturity

The remaining period until maturity date of a security is its residual maturity. For example, a security issued for an original term to maturity of 10 years, after 2 years, will have a residual maturity of 8 years.

Secondary Market

The market in which outstanding securities are traded. This market is different from the primary or initial market when securities are sold for the first time. Secondary market refers to the buying and selling that goes on after the initial public sale of the security.

Tap Sale

Under Tap sale, a certain amount of securities is created and made available for sale, generally with a minimum price, and is sold to the market as bids are made. These securities may be sold over a period of day or even weeks; and authorities may retain the flexibility to increase the (minimum) price if demand proves to be strong or to cut it if demand weakens. Tap and continuous sale are very similar, except that with Tap sale the debt manager tends to take a more pro-active role in determining the availability and indicative price for tap sales. Continuous sale are essentially at the initiative of the market.

Treasury Bills

Debt obligations of the Government that have maturities of one year or less are normally called Treasury Bills or T-Bills. Treasury Bills are short-term obligations of the Treasury/ Government. They are instruments issued at a discount to the face value and form an integral part of the money market.

Underwriting

The arrangement by which investment bankers undertake to acquire any unsubscribed portion of a primary issuance of a security.

Weighted Average Price/ Yield

It is the weighted average mean of the price/ yield where weight being the amount used at that price/ yield. The allotment to the non-competitive segment will be at the weighted average price/yield that will emerge in the auction on the basis of competitive bidding.

Yield

The annual percentage rate of return earned on a security. Yield is a function of a security’s purchase price and coupon interest rate. Yield fluctuates according to numerous factors including global markets and the economy.

Yield to Maturity (YTM)

Yield to maturity is the total return one would expect to receive if the security is being held until maturity. Yield to maturity is essentially the discount rate at which the present value of future payments (investment income and return of principal) equals the price of the security.

Yield Curve

The graphical relationship between yield and maturity among bonds of different maturities and the same credit quality. This curve shows the term structure of interest rates. It also enables investors to compare debt securities with different maturities and coupons.

Indian Currency

D) Soiled and Mutilated Banknotes

9. What is Clean Note Policy? +

Reserve Bank of India has been continuously making efforts to make good quality banknotes available to the members of public. To help RBI and the banking system towards this objective, the members of public are requested to ensure the following:

Not to staple the banknotes
Not to write/put rubber stamp or any other mark on the banknotes
Not to use banknotes for making garlands/toys, decorating pandals and places of worship or for showering on personalities in social events, etc.

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

39. Would para 7 of the revised regulatory framework for NBFCs issued vide CC DNBR (PD) CC.No. 002/03.10.001/ 2014-15 dated November 10, 2014 on multiple NBFCs in a group also apply to Core Investment Companies (CICs) in the group?

Ans: No. CICs in a group would not be considered for aggregating the assets of multiple NBFCs in a group under the circular. Instructions contained in the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011 dated January 5, 2011 shall be applicable to CICs in this regard.

Domestic Deposits

IV. Advances against shares and debentures

39. Whether banks can sanction loans against the equity shares of the banking company to its directors? +

No.

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Liquid Asset requirement

39. The securities meant for maintaining the liquid assets are required to be valued at their market value. What should be the value for the unquoted Government securities? +

The unquoted Government securities are to be valued at their carrying cost. The term `carrying cost has been defined in the Non-Banking Financial Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998 to mean the net book value of the asset and interest accrued thereon but not received.

40. The liquid asset securities are required to be lodged with a scheduled commercial bank for the purpose of safeguarding the depositors interest. Whether a company can lodge these securities at two places or with two banks ? +

The liquid assets securities can be lodged with one bank branch only and at one place only. However, the company has the discretion now to keep such securities with a bank branch either at the place of its registered office or at another place of its choice after taking prior approval of the concerned Regional Office of RBI.

Foreign Investment in India

III. Investment in other securities

Q.40: How can the sale/ maturity proceeds be taken out by the FVCI ? +

Answer: The sale/ maturity proceeds (net of taxes) of the securities may be remitted outside India or credited to the foreign currency account or a Special Non-resident Rupee Account of the FVCI.

Domestic Deposits

IV. Advances against shares and debentures

40. Whether any ceiling has been fixed on the bank’s exposure to the capital market? +

A banks total exposure, including both fund based and non-fund based, to capital market in all forms covering its direct investment in equity shares, convertible bonds and debentures and units of equity oriented mutual funds; Advances against shared to individuals for investment in equity shares (including IPOs), bonds and debentures, units of equity-oriented mutual funds and secured and unsecured advances to stockbrokers and guarantees issued on behalf of stockbrokers and market makers should not exceed 5% of its total outstanding advances as on March 31 of the previous year (including Commercial Paper). Within the above ceiling, bank’s direct investment should not exceed 20 per cent of its networth. For computing the ceiling on exposure to capital market, the bank’s direct investment in shares will be calculated at cost price of the shares

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Domestic Deposits

II. Deposits of Non-Residents Indians (NRIs)

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Classification of NBFCs into sub-groups

Foreign Investment in India

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Foreign Investment in India

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Time frame for compliance of regulations

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) under FEMA 1999

Some Useful Definitions

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

Foreign Investment in India

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances

Indian Currency

C. Different Types of Bank Notes and Security Features of banknotes

Government Securities Market in India – A Primer

Core Investment Companies

Core Investment Companies (CICs)

Foreign Investment in India

FAQs on Non-Banking Financial Companies

Credit Rating

Domestic Deposits

III. Advances